What inspires fashion designers is always of interest to me. Whether it's a muse, a trip, or simply the throbbing life around them, I always enjoy hearing about where designers get their ideas from.

New York designer Cynthia Rowley has decided to share her inspirations, memories and adventures through a charming and witty new book called Slim: A Fantasy Memoir by Cynthia Rowley, $23. She says, "It's a collection of drawings and stories loosely based on my life ...